There are currently an estimated 288,800 mechanical engineers in the United States. The mechanical engineer job market is expected to grow by 8.8% between 2016 and 2026.

How employable are mechanical engineers?

CareerExplorer rates mechanical engineers with a C employability rating, meaning this career should provide moderate employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 29,500 mechanical engineers. That number is based on 25,300 additional mechanical engineers, and the retirement of 4,200 existing mechanical engineers.

What’s the supply of mechanical engineers?

The mechanical engineer industry is concentrated in Michigan, California, Texas

Mechanical Engineer job market by state

State Name Employed Mechanical Engineers
Michigan 44,680
California 25,630
Texas 18,970
Illinois 15,930
Ohio 15,150
Pennsylvania 14,440
New York 11,710
Wisconsin 10,810
Massachusetts 9,480
Indiana 8,050
North Carolina 7,980
Washington 7,720
Florida 7,500
Virginia 7,120
Minnesota 6,800
Maryland 5,540
New Jersey 5,080
Colorado 4,920
South Carolina 4,870
Georgia 4,800
Tennessee 4,200
Arizona 4,190
Kentucky 3,970
Oregon 3,930
Connecticut 3,790
Alabama 3,550
Utah 3,130
Missouri 3,060
Kansas 2,630
Oklahoma 2,630
New Hampshire 1,990
Iowa 1,970
Louisiana 1,660
New Mexico 1,210
Rhode Island 1,200
Puerto Rico 1,190
Mississippi 1,160
Nebraska 1,070
Arkansas 1,010
Maine 940
Idaho 910
Nevada 780
Hawaii 680
District of Columbia 670
Delaware 620
Alaska 540
North Dakota 540
South Dakota 510
Montana 490
West Virginia 470
Vermont 380
Wyoming 210
Guam 70